Greg Hardy, Jerry Jones deserve criticism over domestic violence

Since Friday's release of photographic evidence detailing Greg Hardy's violent acts against his then-girlfriend on May 13, 2014, the defensive end has been the object of intense criticism. He deserves every last word of it.

His new employers, the Dallas Cowboys, also should come under fire for selling out on morality to add a pass rusher.

The photographs, published online by Deadspin.com on Friday, show the bruises and abrasions Hardy is alleged to have inflicted on Nicole Holder inside his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. They further bring to light the horrors of domestic violence and offer an uncomfortable reminder of the visual evidence connected to the cases involving former Ravens running back Ray Rice and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Unlike Rice and Peterson, both of whom expressed genuine remorse, Hardy and his enablers with the Cowboys have shown a disregard for his alleged transgressions.

Hardy was found guilty by a judge in July 2014 after Holder testified. He then asked for a jury trial and reached a settlement with her. She declined to cooperate with prosecutors and the case was dropped.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who said in a statement that he did not see the pictures before signing Hardy to a one-year contract before the season, also said he is giving him "a second chance" and that the defensive end is "someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career."

But Hardy's actions and his words indicate that he lacks remorse for his brutal attack.

While Jones said in his statement that the Cowboys "do not condone domestic violence," Hardy, who served a four-game suspension before returning Oct. 11, did not come close to making that kind of statement until late Saturday afternoon, when he tweeted, "Just had to say I express my regret 4 what happened in past and I'm Dedicated to being the best person & teammate that I can be. But mostly I am Grateful 4 the opportunity to play in NFL."

But that was too little and far too late.

In his first public remarks with the Dallas media in the days preceding his return, he called his time away from the game "the most awesome period of my life." He later said about looking forward to playing again, "I hope I come out guns blazing." This from the man who was accused of throwing Holder onto a couch filled with assault rifles.

Hardy also made jokes about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, his opponent in that first game, and sexist remarks about his wife, model Giselle Bundchen.

Against the Giants last month, Hardy burst into the huddle on the sideline and took a swipe at special-teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia before being pulled away. After the game, Jones said he had no issue with Hardy's behavior, adding that it was indicative of his leadership. Hardy was not disciplined for the incident, and Jones said later in the week that the Cowboys hope to sign him to a contract extension.

Jones' actions -- and the subsequent criticism they prompted -- come in stark contrast with how Hardy's previous employer handled his situation. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, himself one of the league's leading voices in important matters, including domestic violence issues, sacrificed any on-field gains he might have enjoyed last year by removing Hardy from the lineup and having him placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List after one game. Richardson released Hardy in the offseason, signaling an unwillingness to deal with the unapologetic pass rusher.

As it turned out, the Panthers successfully dealt with his absence, winning the NFC South title. They are 7-0 this season.

The Cowboys? They're 2-5 and fading in the NFC East race, largely because of the absence of quarterback Tony Romo.

No one who holds the Cowboys accountable for signing Hardy feels badly that they have lost five games in a row. The publishing of the pictures only reinforces the ill will toward a franchise that has proved to be an enabler for a man whose actions -- and his lack of remorse over those actions -- invite the vitriol that now is rushing his way.

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”